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We will be in Sydney for 3 days and would like some help in planning what we should do. We plan on doing a tour of the Opera House and maybe even going to a performance, if there is one. What is the dress code for a performance?

Hop on Hop off bus does not get good reviews. In other cities we have enjoyed them but not sure if we should do this in Sydney?

Is Sydney Wildlife World worth a visit? We did go to the Aquarium a number of years ago. We also went to Featherdale Wildlife Park and the Blue Mountains the last time.

Manly or Bondi Beach, which one would you go to if you had to chose one?

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for any help. Steve

I've been to Sydney many times and I find it a very walkable city, so I don't think a HO/HO bus is necessary there.

In addition to the Opera House, two places I never miss in Sydney are the Taronga Zoo and the Queen Victoria Building. Also strolling through the Botanical Gardens to Mrs. Macquarie's Chair is very pleasant.

Definitely Manly. Easy to get to as ferry departs from Circular Quay and its a lovely scenic ferry ride across the harbour to Manly. Manly is a very scenic spot with great eateries and two lovely beaches - one on the harbourside and one on the oceanfront.

Wildlife World is worth going to. Good if you have limited time. It is located in Darling Harbour which has lots of food venues and souvenir shops. Other option if you havent already been is Taronga Zoo which is a short ferry ride away from Circular Quay. Extensive zoo with stunning harbour views. Need at least half a day to see all.

I second the Rocks Markets. Located close to the Overseas Passenger Terminal. Lots of quality souvenirs and a lovely historic area to walk around with a great vibe on the weekend.

Sydney Tower with is located in the CBD is a great place to get a 360 view of Sydney.
Also nice shops at the bottom of the tower (Westfield Shopping Centre)

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Both are nice to see. We had a transit pass and used the ferries extensively to see the outlying areas of Sydney. We walked everywhere and had a really good time. The beaches were lovely to walk along and had nice eateries around. I would watch out though if you go on a weekend as some of the restaurants add on a surcharge for the weekend that everyone has to pay on top of what they order. Made for a very expensive lunch.

The HOHO bus has new owners and is now getting good reviews and from personal observation are running smoothely and well patronised. The company has also refurbished the fleet.
If going to the Zoo, get a hop-on-hop- combo ticket and also visit Watsons Bay for a look at Sydneys notorious Gap and to have some fish n chips on the pier.

Wildlife World IMO is over rated and pricey. Not worth it if you have already been to Featherdale. I would visit the National Maritime Museum accross the bay from the Aquarium via Pyrmont Pedestrian bridge instead. Visit both indoor and outdoor exhibits.
Hugh

I have been fortunate enough to visit Sydney 3 times and have used the Hop On/Hop Off Bus on each occasion, taking both routes that were available. Had no complaints whatsoever.

The Australian Maritime Museum is worth a visit, if you are interested in that type of thing.

The Botanical Gardens also are a most if you are a plant/flower person. Spenidng some time at the Fish Market, which is on the Hop On/Hop Off Bus route, is interesting as is spending some time wandering around Chinatown.

The Rocks also are very interesting. Also, the Queen Victoria Building is worth a look.

I did a Harbor Cruise on one visit and was somewhat underwhelmed by it. May have been the operator, however. Narration was not very good and seating was uncomfortable.

Thank you for all the ideas. The last time we were there we probably walked over 10 miles through the Rocks area, parks, around the Opera House and harbours. We love zoos and never thought about that the last time. We will be there on a Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in October, and love to walk.

As you have already done the Harbour and CBD, here is a different idea - Tobruk Sheep Station. It's basically an Outback Sheep Station in Sydney. My daughter did this last year with her German exchange group and both the Aussies and the Germans loved it.

Its about 70km (an hours drive from the CBD) and the scenery on the way is nice.

Not sure how you get our there - you can probably do a day tour - something to consider if the idea appeals to you.

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Voyager of the Seas - New Years Eve Cruise - NZ & Fiji
Explorer of the Seas - November - South Pacific

If you are interested in wines at all, the Hunter Valley can be done in a day trip from Sydney as well. That can be a lovely day, a cellar door or two and there are lots of good restaurants up there as well. There are tour companies that run from Sydney or you could drive it yourself. It's about 2 hours.

For animals, go to Taronga Park Zoo. Wonderful views of the harbour and city. Very easy to get to by ferry from Circular Quai ferry port next to the Opera House.

Bondi beach is the more glamourous one. Young crowd.
Manly beach is a bit more family oriented and super easy to get to by ferry (as above).
Note that the little beach to the left of Manly wharf is NOT Manly beach. :-)

In addition to all of the places mentioned, I would add Darling Harbour. Lots of shops, restaurants, entertainment. Very nice & great for people watching.

Sherri

Just to update. The whole of the Exhibition and Conference Centre buildings on the east side of Darling Harbour (Cockle Bay) is being demolished and that area is now a dust bowl. The Harbourside shops remain though as does the National Maritime Museum and Pyrmont bridge. Western side is untouched, where the Aquarium etc is.

I'd suggest taking a ferry to Manly in the late afternoon / early evening, while it is still daylight so gthat will depend on what time of year you are here. Enjoy the views of Sydney Harbour on the way.

Explore Manly - the ferry arrives harbourside, cross the road from the ferry terminal and it is a short walk down the Corso to the ocean beach side. There is a lovely walk around the southern end of the bay which is very easy.

There are lots of great cafes and restaurants in Manly so have dinner, then catch the ferry back to the CBD and enjoy the Sydney nightlights on the way back.

Just to update. The whole of the Exhibition and Conference Centre buildings on the east side of Darling Harbour (Cockle Bay) is being demolished and that area is now a dust bowl. The Harbourside shops remain though as does the National Maritime Museum and Pyrmont bridge. Western side is untouched, where the Aquarium etc is.

I've been to Sydney many times and I find it a very walkable city, so I don't think a HO/HO bus is necessary there.

In addition to the Opera House, two places I never miss in Sydney are the Taronga Zoo and the Queen Victoria Building. Also strolling through the Botanical Gardens to Mrs. Macquarie's Chair is very pleasant.

If you are there on a weekend, stop by the Rocks Market in The Rocks.

Agree about the HoHo, you can walk in Sydney.

I suggest taking a harbor cruise. Also, a day trip to the Blue Mountains is special. We also did a Hunter Valley wine trip, but with only three days that might be too much.

There is a fantastic tour company that does the Blue Mountains. It also visits a great zoo(Featherdale), so you don't need to go to the zoo in Sydney.
Company is

Bridgeclimb – 3½ hours, but worth it if the weather's good. Not energetic, nor difficult to anyone who has anything other than serious fears of heights. Best to book when you're there and you can gauge what the weather is likely to be. Most popular and expensive climbs are at twilight. Otherwise, a first timer should do a day climb to see where everything is, although night climbs are romantically spectacular. They have a new route which climbs the lower arch, but the standard route is still better for a newcomer.

Or just walk across the Harbour Bridge if you don't want to climb it. You can go up the south-east pylon (the one nearest the Opera House and Circular Quay) for some views that are better than those from the roadway.

Sydney Tower – the tall building thing, also a very ish revolving restaurant.

Cruise on the harbour - lots of ways of doing this, standard tourist ones from Circular Quay; also a jetboat from there; but my favourite is on a genuine ex-Americas Cup yacht - a cruise ship is nothing like this!

Watsons Bay – famous for Doyles, seafood restaurant, also good views. Also, go up to South Head (walking distance) from there, for views. Watsons Bay can be reached by ferry.